Pushbutton switch with adjustable pretravel

Abstract: A contact carrying portion (12) of a plunger assembly (10) is adjusted linearly in the direction of switch operating movement by a rotatable cam (28) in the plunger assembly to change an initial gap dimension (X) between stationary (8) and movable contacts (16,20). The cam is rotatable about an axis parallel to the direction of switch operating movement and comprises a plurality of angularly spaced diametrically oriented grooves (28a, 28b, 28c), each of a different depth, in an end surface cooperating with a diametrically disposed rib (12f) on the contact carrying portion to vary the axial length of the plunger assembly and provide a detent for the cam adjustment. A housing (4) is provided with a window (4d) through a lateral wall (4a) for accessing slots (28d, 28e) in the cam to rotate the cam. The pushbutton switch (2) is resiliently disposed in a supplementary housing (30, 44) to accommodate significant overtravel of a switch operating element.

Description: This invention relates to a plunger operated switch and a method of adjusting an initial gap dimension between movable and stationary contacts in an extended position of such a switch. In particular, the invention relates to pushbutton switches wherein the pretravel, i.e. the distance a movable contact travels to engage the stationary contacts, is adjustable to compensate for tolerance accumulations in the parts. Pushbutton switches generally comprise a housing, a plunger in the housing carrying a movable contact, stationary contacts in the housing aligned with the movable contact, and springs biasing the movable contact and the plunger away from the stationary contacts. Depression of the plunger moves the movable contact into engagement with the stationary contacts to complete an electrical circuit therethrough. The individual parts and significant features of the parts are dimensioned to establish a specific initial dimension between the movable and the stationary contacts in the extended position of the pushbutton, thereby defining a particular distance the plunger must be depressed before effecting engagement of the movable and stationary contacts. Each part and feature dimension has a manufacturing tolerance. When a plurality of parts are involved, the tolerances may "stack" adversely, thereby significantly changing the initial dimension between the movable and stationary contacts in the extended position and therefore changing the distance the plunger must travel to effect contact engagement. In certain end user applications, consistency of this initial dimension between the movable and stationary contacts is essential. Summary of the Invention This invention provides a pushbutton switch as defined in claim 1, having means for adjusting the initial dimension between the stationary and movable contacts after assembly of the switch. The adjustment means effectively lengthens or shortens an axial dimension of the plunger by rotating an adjustment cam member in the plunger assembly. A window is provided in a lateral wall of the switch housing for access to the adjustment cam member. The cam surface on the adjustment cam member doubles as a detent for the adjustment cam member. The invention further provides a method according to claim 13. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation view, partially broken away, of the pushbutton switch with adjustment means constructed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 is a center line cross sectional view of the switch of Fig. 1 taken in a plane parallel to the paper; Fig. 3 is a center line cross sectional view of the switch of Fig. 1 taken in a plane perpendicular to the paper; Fig. 4a is a cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 1 showing the adjustment cam member in a first position; Fig. 4b is a view like 4a showing the adjustment cam member in a clockwise rotated position; Fig. 4c is a view like 4a showing the adjustment cam member in a counterclockwise rotated position; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the adjustment cam member for the pushbutton switch constructed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the adjustment cam member shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the adjustment cam member shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of the plunger and movable contact members taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 2; Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a pushbutton switch assembly showing the pushbutton switch of Figs. 1-8 assembled into a supplementary switch housing; Fig 10 is a center line cross sectional view of the switch assembly of Fig. 9 taken in a plane parallel to the paper; Fig. 11 is a center line cross sectional view of the switch assembly of Fig. 9 taken in a plane perpendicular to the paper; and Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of the switch assembly of Fig. 9. Description of the Preferred Embodiment The pushbutton switch 2 of this invention comprises a molded insulating housing 4 having a generally cylindrical barrel portion 4a and an enlarged cylindrical frame portion 4b open to the lower end thereof. Frame portion 4b has slots 4c located on the orthogonal axes which extend upward as shallow grooves along the exterior surface of barrel portion 4a. A molded insulating base 6 has slots 6a arranged on the orthogonal axes in alignment with the slots 4c of housing 4. Base 6 has one or two pairs of stationary contacts 8 retained in appropriate pockets in the base 6 adjacent the respective inner walls of diametrically opposed ones of the slots 6a according to whether the switch is to be a single pole or double pole switch. Base 6 is attached to the lower end of housing 4 by any appropriate method. Although not specifically shown, it is preferred that base 6 and housing 4 are suitably configured for snap together attachment. The barrel portion 4a of housing 4 has a multi-stepped cylindrical opening therethrough which is enlarged adjacent the frame portion 4b at the lower end of housing 4 and is reduced at the upper end of the barrel. A plunger assembly 10 is disposed within the stepped cylindrical opening of housing 4. The plunger assembly comprises a contact carrier 12 molded of insulating material. Contact carrier 12 is an elongated member generally symmetrical about an axis extending longitudinally therethrough. The upper portion 12a of contact carrier 12 is generally cylindrical complementally to the bore of housing 4. The lower end 12b of contact carrier 12 has a rectangular shape, preferably square, to be complementally received in a square recess 6b of base 6 to prevent rotation of contact carrier 12 about the longitudinal axis. The lower end 12b has a cylindrical recess 12c for receiving one end of a helical compression spring 14, the other end of which is positioned by a semispherical boss molded in the bottom of recess 6b. Spring 14 biases contact carrier 12 upwardly toward the reduced diameter end of barrel 4a. Contact carrier 12 is also provided with a window 12d extending diametrically therethrough above the end portion 12b. A flat movable contact 16 is disposed within the window 12d having opposite ends projecting out opposite sides of the contact carrier. The opposite ends of movable contact 16 are widened in a bow-tie fashion to maintain the movable contact positioned relative to the contact carrier and to match the contact faces of the stationary contacts 8. Contact 16 is biased against a bottom edge of window 12d by a helical compression spring 18 positioned within a widened central recess of the contact carrier. Movable contact 16 is used in a single pole switch arrangement. A double pole switch arrangement is shown in the drawings and is provided by a second movable contact 20 which is disposed over the exterior of the movable contact carrier 12. As can be seen in Fig. 8, contact carrier 12 and movable contact 20 are provided with flat surfaces and edges, respectively, to prevent rotation of movable contact 20 about the contact carrier 12. As can be seen in Fig. 3, the opposite ends of movable contact 20 are offset downwardly to be substantially coplanar with the opposite ends of movable contact 16. The opposite ends of movable contact 20 overlie a respective diametrically opposed pair of stationary contacts 8 which are 90 degrees displaced from the stationary contacts 8 associated with movable contact 16. A helical compression spring 22 is disposed around contact carrier 12 to bear upon movable contact 20. The opposite end of spring 20 bears against a C-ring 24 attached to the contact carrier 12. Movable contact 20 rests upon step ledges 12e provided on the periphery of contact carrier 12 as shown in Fig. 3. The contact carrier 12 could comprise an integral portion extending upwardly through the reduced size opening at the upper end of barrel portion 4a of housing 4 and thus be a one piece plunger assembly. However, the contact carrier 12 is molded of a plastic-type material which is electrically insulative. The end use applications of such switches commonly employ a metal machine part operating the switch by depressing the plunger. The dissimilar materials and the nature of the engagement therebetween tends to cause excessive wear which affects the amount of travel of the machine element before actually causing the plunger to be depressed sufficiently to operate the contacts. Accordingly, an operator 26 is commonly used to alleviate the wear, the operator being a machined metal part or other high wear resistant material placed between the and of contact carrier 12 and the upper end of barrel portion 4a. In the switch embodiment shown, the operator 26 is a cylindrical member having a reduced diameter pin portion 26a extending upwardly therefrom through the opening in the end wall of housing 4. While the operator 26 improves the wear resistance, it adds still another individual part to the switch and may add to any adverse tolerance accumulations in the switch which detennine the original, dimension X (Fig. 1) between the movable contacts 16 or 20 and the respective stationary contacts 8. This invention provides an adjustment means for varying the gap dimension X after assembly of the switch 2. The invention provides a rotary adjustment cam member 28 shown separately in Figs. 5-7 interposed the upper end of contact carrier 12 and the lower surface of operator 26. Adjustment cam member 28 is a molded plastic cylindrical tube having three diametrically extending grooves 28a, 28b and 28c rotatably spaced at equal intervals on its bottom surface. Grooves 28a-28c each have a different axial dimension or height; groove 28a being the shallowest groove, 28c being the deepest and groove 28b being at an intermediate depth between grooves 28a and 28c (See Fig. 6). The side surface of cam member 28 is provided with a pair of radially directed slots 28d and 28e. As seen in Figs. 1, 3 and 4a-c, barrel portion 4a of housing 4 is provided with a window 4d adjacent the rotary adjustment cam member 28. The upper end of contact carrier 12 is provided with a diametrically disposed rib 12f which is overlaid by one of the slots 28a-28c. Rotary adjustment cam member 28 may be rotated by insertion of a tool (not shown) through window 4d to engage one of the slots 28d or 28e. When both slots are visible in the window as is represented in Fig. 1, the intermediate height groove 28b overlies rib 12f and the gap X is a median dimension. To decrease the gap dimension, the overall length of the plunger assembly 10 is increased by engaging slot 28d with a tool and rotating adjustment member 28 counterclockwise to the position shown in Fig. 4c, thereby moving the shallower groove 28a over rib 12f. To increase the gap dimension X, the overall length of plunger assembly 10 is effectively shortened by engaging slot 28e with a tool and rotating the adjustment member 28 clockwise to the position shown in Fig. 4b, wherein the deeper groove 28c is overlying the rib 12f. The spring 14 biases the plunger assembly 10 upward to an extended position wherein the cylindrical body of operator 26 bears against the shoulder of the reduced diameter opening of barrel 4a. The lower surface of operator 26 bears against the upper surface of rotary adjustment cam member 28. The respective grooves 28a-28c bear upon the rib 12f of contact carrier 12. All of these junctions determine the location of the lower edge of the window 12d in contact carrier 12 to determine the dimension X between the movable contacts 16 and 20 and the respective stationary contacts 8. The depth of the grooves 28a-28c can be held closely toleranced in manufacture of the member 28 such that the grooves 28a and 28c represent a plus or minus equal tolerance on opposite sides of the mean dimension represented by groove 28b. Thus the contacts can be set to close consistently after X amount of travel of the plunger assembly 10. Overtravel of plunger assembly 10 is permitted by the spring 18 which also provides contact pressure for the switch contacts. In one preferred application, pushbutton switch 2 is mounted within a supplementary switch housing as shown in Figs. 9-12. The supplementary switch housing comprises a molded cup-like case 30 of electrical insulating material having diametrically opposed pairs of wiring terminals 32 and 34 integrally molded therewith. Resilient spring clip electrical connectors 36 and 38 are attached to the respective wiring terminals 32 and 34 within the case 30 to extend upward along the side walls thereof. The spring clip conductors have a reverse bend portion facing inwardly. Pushbutton switch 2 is inserted within the cup-like cavity of case 30 such that spherical bosses 8a on stationary contacts 8 engage the re-entrant portion of reversely bent conductors 36 and 38 to make electrical connection therewith. A helical compression spring 40 rests at one end within a recess in the bottom of case 30 and at the other end within a spring seat formed on the underside of base 6 of switch 2 to bias the switch 2 upwardly relative to the case 30. An annular shoulder 30a is provided on the external surface of case 30 intennediate its ends. Annular shoulder 30a provides a substantially right angle shouldered upper surface and a curved shouldered lower surface. An O-ring 42 is disposed over the outer periphery of case 30 to rest against the right angle surface of annular shoulder 30a. A metal bushing 44 provides the final portion of the supplementary housing for switch unit 2. Bushing 44 has a generally hexagonal main body which has a cylindrical flange 44a depending from its lower surface. A threaded bushing 44b projects upwardly from the upper surface of bushing 44. Bushing 44b is disposed over the barrel portion 4a of switch 2 and over the upper end of case 30 whereby a lower internal annular shoulder on bushing 44 bears against O-ring 42, compressing the same when the depending annular flange 44a is rolled over the lower rounded surface of annular ring 30a. The supplementary housing provides mounting for the switch 2 and electrical connection thereto. It also provides for major overtravel without damaging the switch 2 by permitting depression of the entire pushbutton switch 2 against the bias of spring 40. Depression of switch 2 slide the movable contacts 8 along the re-entrant portions of conductive members 36 and 38 to maintain conductivity therebetween. While the pushbutton switch with adjustment means of this invention has been shown in the best mode contemplated, it is understood that it is susceptible of various modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: A plunger operated switch (2) comprising: a housing (4) having an opening through a wall thereof; a plunger assembly (10) guided for linear reciprocal movement within said housing and aligned with said opening to be operated through said opening, said plunger assembly comprising a contact carrier (12); a pair of stationary contacts (8) mounted in said housing on opposite sides of said plunger assembly contact carrier; a movable contact (16) carried by said contact carrier overlying said stationary contacts for movement by said plunger assembly into and out of bridging engagement with said stationary contacts; means (14) for biasing said plunger against said housing wall and said movable contact out of engagement with said stationary contacts; said plunger assembly further comprising adjustment means interposed between said housing wall and said contact carrier, said adjustment means being operable for adjusting a dimension of said plunger assembly between said wall and said movable contact, thereby adjusting spacing between said movable and stationary contacts. The plunger operated switch (2) defined in claim 1 wherein said adjustment means comprises a rotary adjustment member (28) rotatable about an axis along which said plunger (10) moves linearly, said rotary adjustment member having a cam (28a, 28b, 28c) of varying axial dimension at an end thereof, and said contact carrier (12) comprises a cam follower (12f) abutting said cam. The plunger operated switch (2) defined in claim 2 wherein said rotary adjustment member (28) is externally accessible for effecting rotation of said rotary adjustment member. The plunger operated switch (2) defined in claim 3 wherein said housing (4) comprises a lateral wall (4a) extending substantially parallel to said linear reciprocal movement of said plunger assembly; a window (4d) through said lateral wall aligned with said rotary adjustment member (28); and means on said rotary adjustment member accessible through said window for effecting rotation of said adjustment member. The plunger operated switch (2) defined in claim 4 wherein said means on said rotary adjustment member (28) comprises at least one radially directed recess (28d, 28e) engageable by a tool inserted through said window (4d). The plunger operated switch (2) defined in claim 4 wherein said means on said rotary adjustment member (28) comprises a pair of radially directed recesses (28d, 28e) engageable by a tool through said window (4d), at least one of said recesses being aligned with said window and accessible therethrough in every rotated position of said rotary adjustment member. The plunger operated switch (2) defined in claim 2 wherein said cam comprises a plurality of rotationally spaced diagonal grooves (28a, 28b, 28c), each of said diagonal grooves having an axial depth different from axial depths of any other of said diagonal grooves, and said cam follower comprises a diagonally disposed rib (12f) on said contact carrier (12) biased into a respective one of said grooves. The plunger operated switch (2) defined in claim 7 wherein said means (14) for biasing said plunger assembly (10) cooperates with said grooves (28a, 28b, 28c) and said rib (12f) for providing a rotational detent for said adjustment membe (28). The plunger operated switch (2) defined in claim 8 wherein said plunger assembly (10) comprises an operator member (26) disposed between said housing wall and said rotary adjustment member (28). The plunger operated switch (2) defined in claim 9 wherein said operator member (26) comprises an axially extending pin (26a) projecting through said opening. The plunger operated switch (2) defined in claim 10 together with a supplementary housing (30, 44) comprising an internal chamber, an opening through said supplementary housing communicating with said chamber, and wiring terminals (32, 34) affixed to said supplementary housing and having conductive means (36, 38) extending into said chamber, said plunger operated switch being disposed in said chamber, a portion of said switch containing said operator (26) extending through said supplementary housing opening externally thereof, said conductive means connecting said stationary contacts (8) to said wiring terminals, and means (40) biasing said switch to an extended position relative to said supplementary housing, said switch being depressible against said biasing means relative to said supplementary housing. The plunger operated switch (2) and supplementary housing (30, 44) as defined in claim 11 wherein said conductive means comprise resilient conductors (36, 38) extending parallel to movement of said switch (2) in said chamber, and said stationary contacts (8) comprise portions (8a) abutting said resilient conductors for sliding engagement therewith. A method of adjusting an initial gap dimension (X) between movable (16, 20) and stationary contacts (8) in an extended position of a plunger operated switch (2) comprising: guiding a plunger assembly (10) for linear reciprocal movement between a depressed and an extended position within a housing (4); providing a pair of stationary contacts (8) in said housing and a movable contact (16, 20) on said plunger assembly engagable in said depressed position of said plunger assembly and separated to said initial gap dimension (X) in said extended position of said plunger assembly; and varying a dimension of said plunger assembly in a direction of said linear reciprocal movement for varying said initial gap dimension between said movable contact and said stationary contacts. The method of adjusting an initial gap dimension (X) between movable (16, 20) and stationary (8) contacts in an extended position of a plunger operated switch (2) defined in claim 13 wherein the step of varying the dimension of said plunger assembly (10) comprises rotating an adjustment cam (28) disposed in said plunger assembly between an operator portion (26) and a contact carrying portion (12) of said plunger assembly to increase or decrease said dimension of said plunger assembly. The method of adjusting an initial gap dimension (X) between movable (16, 20) and stationary (8) contacts in an extended position of a plunger operated switch (2) defined in claim 14 wherein the step of rotating an adjustment cam (28) comprises rotating said adjustment cam about an axis parallel with said linear reciprocal movement.

Inventors: WOODARD TONY OWEN, WOODARD, TONY OWEN
Applicants: EATON CORP, EATON CORPORATION
Application year: 1994
Main classification: H01H13
IPC codes: H01H13, H01H3